Harsh Malhotra Tours Flood Hit Villages in Kapurthala, Promises Fast Compensation

Union Minister of State for Road Transport, Highways, and Corporate Affairs Harsh Malhotra visited Punjab’s flood-affected Kapurthala district on Sunday to evaluate relief operations and support communities impacted by recent heavy rainfall. The floods, which inundated agricultural fields, destroyed homes, and damaged critical infrastructure, prompted a swift response from the Narendra Modi government to aid affected farmers and families.

The minister commenced his visit with a meeting at Kapurthala’s administrative headquarters, where he reviewed relief progress with district officials and directed them to accelerate aid distribution. “Prompt delivery of compensation is essential to support farmers’ recovery,” Malhotra stated on X, emphasizing the need for efficient disbursements to address losses estimated at Rs 1,200 crore across Punjab’s agricultural sector.

The floods, triggered by 250 mm of rainfall in late September, submerged over 200,000 hectares of paddy and cotton crops in Kapurthala, displaced 15,000 families, and damaged 3,000 homes, according to state disaster management reports. Malhotra instructed departments, including health and agriculture, to coordinate efforts, prioritizing cash transfers under the PM Fasal Bima Yojana and the provision of emergency supplies.

In Sheikhmanga village, the minister inspected a health camp providing medical care for waterborne illnesses, which have risen by 30% since the floods. The camp, serving 500 families daily with antibiotics and clean water kits, was commended for its role in addressing immediate health needs. In Takia village, Malhotra met with residents, distributing food packets containing rice, lentils, and oil to support 1,000 households for a week. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing comprehensive assistance, stating, “The Modi government is fully dedicated to supporting affected communities with essential resources and long-term recovery measures.” Social media posts under #KapurthalaRelief, exceeding 40,000, reflected public appreciation and calls for expedited aid.

Infrastructure damage was also a key focus, with National Highway NH-703A, connecting Kapurthala to Jalandhar, suffering breaches that disrupted trade worth Rs 50 crore daily. Accompanied by officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Public Works Department (PWD), Malhotra assessed damaged sections and approved Rs 200 crore for urgent repairs, including culvert reinforcements, targeting completion by mid-November. NHAI reports indicate that 15 km of highways and 20 bridges in Kapurthala require immediate restoration to prevent further economic losses.

This visit follows Punjab’s worst flooding since 2019, which claimed 47 lives and caused damages worth Rs 7,000 crore. While opposition leaders criticized the central government’s response, alleging delays in prior relief efforts, Malhotra emphasized actionable outcomes, stating, “The Modi government is committed to delivering tangible support.” Local organizations, such as Khalsa Aid, distributing 10,000 meals daily, praised the initiative but highlighted the need for permanent flood mitigation measures, citing projections of 25% heavier rainfall by 2030. As the sowing season approaches and 70% of Kapurthala’s crops remain lost, the effectiveness of these relief efforts will be critical to the region’s recovery.